Safety panel-box.



Patented Jan. 28, 1919 2 SHEETS-SHE i.

aune Hoz H. F, KRANYZ.

SAFEY PANEL BOX.

APPLlcArsoN msu mn.al.\s1r.

s w HH HMIIIUMHHHH ii JL Vl-" t L H. P. KSANTZ.

SMETY PANEL BOX.

APPLxcAloN mio MAR. 31. 1917A Patented Jem. 2H, 191D.

2 sHEals SMU 2 arrangements, of parts and applications 0f UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HUBERT F. KEANTZ, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO K RANTZ MANUFAC- TUBING COMFANY, INC., OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A. CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK.

SAFETY PANEL-BOX.

Specification of Letters Tatent. V

Patented Jan. es, 1919.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, HUBERT F. Knan'rz, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have inventml certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Panel-Boxes, of which the following is a specification. boThis invention relates to a safety panel I x.

A particular object of the invention. is to provide improved and positively operating means for rendering the panel box safe and uniformly efficient even in the hands of an inexperienced operator.

A more specific object is to provide a panel box in which the switch mechanism is mounted in a stationary position within the box, and in which a simple and efficient means is provided and operatively associated with the switch mechanism for positively insuring an off position of the switch mechanism, and even for positively locking Athe switch mechanism in an olf position whenever the door is open.

A further more detailed object is to provide a member fixed to and movable with the door and having a cam-like part dis` posed to operatively engage the movable por tion of the switch mechanism in such manner that any opening movement of the door will impress a cam or wedge action against said movable part, whereby to move the switch mechanism into off position and to lock or positively retain the switch mechanism in said olf position.

Other objects and aims of the invention, more or less specific than those referred to above` will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the colrse of the following description of the elements, combinations,

principles, constituting the invention; and the scope of protection contemplated 'will be indicated in the appended claims.

In' the accompanying drawings which are to be taken as a part of this-specification, and in which I have shown merclyaprefcrred form of embodiment of the invention:

Figure l is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through a panel box constructed in accordance with this invention, the parts being illustrated in elevation, and the switch being shown in the on position.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustratinar the parts of Fig. 1 in the position assumed when the door is open, and:

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1., parts being broken away for better disclosing the structural arrangement.

Referring to the drawings for describin in detail the structure which is illustrated therein, the reference character L indicates the panel box generally. This mav be made up of any sultable material, either sheet metal or otherwise, according to preference. In the drawing, it is shown to be made of sheet metal.

The switch mechanism G is arranged within the box being preferably fixed to the upper wall 1 of the box and having a handle 2 projecting through the opening 3 formed through said upper wall.

The switch mechanism per se is substantially the same as that illustrated in my eopending application Serial No. 79,094, and comprises a swinging double-ended contact member or blade 4, adapted to be swung by the handle 2 for moving its opposite ends into and out of electrical engagement wlth the stationary contact members 5 and 6, which are within the box, being preferably carried upon a suitable base 7 of insulating materiah In connection with .the switch mechanism is a plunger 8 which is proectedfas'in Fig. 1, when the switch mechanism is in the on position. but which is withdrawn` as shown in Fig. 2, when the switch mechanism is in the olf position. Forceful movement of the plunger from the position of Fig. 1 to the position of Fig. 2 will cause the switch blade 4 to move from the on t0 the Off position.

A. particular manner of connecting the plunger within the switch mechanism 1s immaterial to the present invention, but is clearly shown and described in the above mentioned copeud i up; r pplioation.

sion V1 The usual fuse, or fuses 9 are arranged within the box being carried between suitable clips, 10 and 11, and being disposed so that when the blade is in the on" position, the electric current will pass to said 'fuses through the contact 5 from the supply corr tact 6.

When the switch blade is in theoi position the current is dead-ended in the contact members 6 and there is no charge whatever either in the contact 5 or in the switch blade, or in the fuse. Hence when the switch blade is in the olf position, the operator may insert a fuse at will and without danger of receiving a shock, and the presence of the switch mechanism and switch`blade wl constitute an efficient barrier to guard against possible chance of an operators hand or to'ol coming into engagement with the current suppl contact 6.v l l t When the switch blade is in the "on position, however, the operators hand must not be inserted into the box for any purpose, and for this reason, the door 12 which is provided as apart of the upper wall 1. just above the fuse position for giving access to the fu e, is formed with a rigid extension 13, w ich is arranged adjacent the hinge 111 of the door amd which has a curved edge surface 15 beyond the hinge. The extenis disposed mostly exterioi'ly of the ut works through an opening 16 formed in the top wall 1 back of the hin e. The inner end portion of the length of tie surface 15 is eccentric to the hinge and a part of this eccentricpfrrtion stands at all times Within the box, ding substantially in engagement with the. end surface oi the plunger 8. The opposite end 'of the surface 15 terminates in a Shoulder 17 whichtwhen the door is thrown o en, engages against a surface portion 18 o the top wall to serve as a stop 4for limiting the opening movement of the door. a

As the door is thrown open, the eccentric or cam part of the surface 15 ,.presses the plunger S'backwardly and positively moves the switch bladelto the olf position. This movement throws the handle 2 forwardly toward the door so that the end of the han dle stands in position to limit the opening movement of the door, as indicated at 24 in Fig. 2. In some cases the engagement oi the door with the end of the handle may serve as an auxiliary to the shoulder 17 for limiting the movement of the door while in other cases the shoulder 17 may be dispensed with and the end of the handle depended upon as the sole means for arresting the opening movement of the door.

In some eases it may be desirable to malte the full. length of the surface 15 eccentric to the hinge while in other cases it may be box i desirable to make the eccentri part `of less len th than illustrated in the drawings herewit lt will.be understood, by reference to Fig. 1, that a very slight movement of the lungcr will result in breaking the togg e 19 and in permitting the spring 20 to drive the switchfblade instantly into full olf position. It is intended that the surface 15 of the cam be of such shape as to impart this necessary slight movement to the plunger before the door has opened for any appreciable distance. The continued eccentricity of the surface 1.5 will serve to insure the inward movement of the plunger in the event of a failure of the spri to perform its function. and to positivelyulgioldz or lock, the plunger-lin its innermost osition after the door has been fully o en The outer end of the p unger may stand at all times in direct engagement with the surface 15 or it may stand in a position spaced o. slight distance from said surface when the door is closed, as preferred. The inevitable inaccuracies which occur during manufacture will therefore not detrimentally affect the operation of this device.

1f desired, a door retaining latch. H may be employed at the free edge of the door for locking the door closed. This latch/may also serve as a handle by means of which the door may be readily manipulated.

Also, if desired,y means may he provided in conjunction with the member 13 for lockihg the door closed. Such a means is indicated by the aperture 21 formed through the member 13 and mating with an aperture 22 formed throu li astandard 23, fixed to the upper wall o the box. When'tlie door is closed, a pad lock or other separately formed locking elements may be passed through the apertures 2l and to positively lock the door closed. i

As many changes could be made in this construction without departing from the scope of the following claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description, or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in the limiting sense.

Having thus described my inventiomwhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letf ters Patent, is:

1. A panel box having a movable door, a [switch mechznnism having a switch blade movable into on and off positions, the switch mechanism including toggle parts adapted to stand in a straightened condition when the switch blade is in the on position and t? permit movement of the switch blade into o position. when the. toggle is jbroken, and means. operqively associated with the door and with th' toggle parts tobreak the goggle coincidentY with a movement of the' 2. A panel box having a. movable door, a switch mechanism having a switch blade movable into .on and off positions, the switch mechanism including toggleparts adapted to stand in a straightened condition when the switch blade is in the on position and to permit movement of the switch blade into olf position when the toggle is broken, a cam carried by and movab e with the door, and connections whereby the cam will break the toggle coincident with a movement of the door.

3. A panel box having a movable door, a. switch mechanism having a switch blade movable into on and olf positions, the switch mechanism including toggle arts adapted to stand in a straightened con ition when the switch blade is in the on position and to permit movement of the switch blade into off position when the tog le is broken a cam carried by and movable with the door, and' a slidebiy mounted plunger connected by one end to the knee of the toggle and having its other ,end disposed in roximity with 'the cam, whereby to be slid y the cam to break the toggle, coincident with the movement of the door.

4. A panel box having "n l, pivotally mounted door, a switch mechanism having a, switch bladermovable into on and ofi' positions, the switch mechanism including tog le parts adapted to stand in a straight ene condition when the switch blade is in the on'position and to permitmovement of the switch blade into off position when the toggle is broken, a cam carried by the door to ewi'n therewith, and means associated with tie toggle and extending into proximity with the cani to receive movement therefrom for breaking the toggle when the door is swung.

5. A panel box having a pivotally mounted door, a switch mechanism having a part movable into on and of positions, a cam arranged exteriorly of the door being fixed of the door to be moved therewith and having a part extending into the box thi-ou h an opening formed through the wall. of tie box, and a member within the box associated with the switch mechanism adapted to be engaged by the said inwardly projecting part of the cam and to receive movement from the cam when the door is thrown open, whereby to produce4 an operation of the switch mechanism.

6. A Panel box having a door pivoted tol swing into open and closed positions, switch mechanism within the box avin an operating handle projecting exterior y of the box and movable into on and oil positions, a cam carried by the door movable therewith, and said switch mechanism hav. ing a part coperatively engaged by said cam when the door is opened adapted. to

movesaidhandle to dispose, said olf position to constitutes atopicr limiting the opening movement of the door. l

7. A panel box having adoorgfvngentrance thereto, a switch within the box operable into on and of positiene, and means whereby to produce an operation of the switch-mechanism .by moveF ment of the door, said means including a cam arranged exteriorlyv of-the door fixed tofthe door to move therewith, sai cam being positioned to move through an opening through the wall of the box into the interior of the box by movement of the door, and said switch mechanism having a part arranged to be operated by the cam as the cam moves into the box.

8. A. panel box having a `pivotally mounted door, a switch mechanism within y t the box having a part movable into on and oii' positions, a cam carried by the door to move therewith comprising a member arranged edgewise to the surface 0f the door and having an edge surface disposed eccentric to the door pivot, and the switch mechanism having a part dis osed to engage said edge surface to be move thereb when the door is opened, Whereb to p noe an operation of the switch mec anism by movement of the doo 9. A panel box having a pivotally mounted door, a switch mechanism within Athe box having a part movable into on and of positions, a cam carried by the door tomove therewith, said cam comprising a piece of sheet metal fixed to the door having a portion bent to stand in a plane transverse of the door pivot and havin an edge surface formed eccentric to the oor ivot, said piece of sheet metal' also being ormed with means adapted to serve in art for locking the door in one of its oeitions, and means associated with the mechanism and extending into en K t with said eccentric edge surface w ereby to produce an operation ofthe switch mechanism upon opening movement of the door.

10. A panel box having a pivotally mounted door, a switch mechanism within the box having a part movable into on and olf positions, a cam carried bythe door to move therewith comprising a. member arranged edgewise to the surface of the door and havin an edge surface disposed eccentric to the oor ivot, said member also having its edge sur ace formed to provide a shoulder for engaging a portion of the box to limit opening movement of the door, and the switch mechanism having a part disposed to engage said eccentric edge surface to be moved thereby when the door is opened whereby to produce an operation of the switch mechanism b movement of the door.

11. A panel box aving a door pivotally mmmted t@ swing into .Hpm farm? csse poS whereby; a mevemm: m? the fiom' wl rfi- Liana, EL swiich mechanism Within the box duce un upa-aman of the switch :11e-elfiMilam l@ luwng a Switch hlme mvv-able im@ on In testimoy whereof ax rnv Signatur@ und aff" pstonsz, :an @grating handle in Hm preserwe Q two wineses.

im' the swtah blade ending e teriorly HUBERT F. KRANTZ.

of the box, a, @am @maud by th@ :3001* to move therewith, and nwuns aocaed with Said cam ad with the swch mechanism Vvtusses;

JOHRKL. Komm, J. NEWTON. 

